Can you recount a job or project that required you to expand your skill set and what you learned from it? How does this benefit Via as you take on the role of an EM?

Question Analysis

This question is a behavioral interview question designed to assess several key competencies:

• Adaptability and Learning Agility: The interviewer wants to know how you handle situations where you need to learn new skills or knowledge.
• Problem-Solving and Initiative: It evaluates your ability to identify the need for skill expansion and take action.
• Relevance to Role: The question also seeks to understand how your past experiences and skills align with and benefit the role of an Engineering Manager (EM) at Via.

The use of the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help you structure your response effectively.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a software engineer at Tech Solutions, we undertook a significant project to develop a new cloud-based application. The project required a deep understanding of cloud architecture, which was not my area of expertise at the time.

Task: My task was to lead a small team in designing and implementing the application's back-end infrastructure. Given the technical demands of cloud architecture, I realized I needed to expand my skill set to effectively fulfill this role.

Action: I proactively enrolled in an intensive cloud computing course and dedicated time each day to hands-on practice. I also sought mentorship from a senior cloud architect within the company, gaining insights into best practices and industry standards. This learning approach enabled me to integrate cloud technologies effectively into our project.

Result: As a result of expanding my skill set, our team successfully delivered the project on time and within budget. The application not only met all the performance benchmarks but also scaled efficiently to accommodate user growth. This experience taught me the importance of continuous learning and adaptability.

Benefit to Via: As I take on the role of an EM at Via, my ability to quickly adapt and learn new technologies will be invaluable. It ensures that I can lead teams through complex projects, encouraging a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. This skill set aligns with Via's mission to stay at the forefront of technology and deliver exceptional solutions to our clients.